
8
ABOVE-GROUND INSTALLATIONS
Where the swim spa is a ”stand-alone“ above-ground installa-
tion to be installed in regions where freeze/thaw conditions
may occur, a level patio stone or pre-formed paver type base
may be sufficient if there is no abutting deck(s) that could be
damaged during potential seasonal movement of the ground.
The potential drawback to this type of base is that splash water
could eventually de-stabilize the ground under the base, with
the resultant shift of the support base causing damage to the
swim spa structure.
For best results, we recommend the installation of a level
concrete pad:
• Dig out and level the ground 20-30 cm (8-12 in.) below
your desired base level
• Install 10-15 cm (4-6 in.) of crushed stone
• Next, install 10-15 cm (4-6 in.) of poured concrete
• Level the concrete and apply a broom-type finish
• We recommend that the pad be made 15 cm (6 in.) larger
than the swim spa on three sides, and 1 m (3 ft.) larger on
the side where the access steps and/or planters will be
installed.
Swimspa must be installed on a level pad
In regions where freeze/thaw occurs, or where there will be
custom decking abutting the swim spa, we recommend the
installation of poured concrete footings extending below the
frost line beneath the pad to prevent the possibility of future
shifting.
Recommended Minimum Concrete Pad Dimensions
With Factory
Cabinet & Steps
Swimstream Model 259 cm x 576 cm
102 in x 228 in
Aquastream Model 259 cm x 671 cm
102 in x 264 in
Dualstream Model 259 cm x 726 cm
102 in x 286 in
IN GROUND & PARTIAL IN GROUND INSTALLATIONS
When recessing the swim spa all or part way below ground
level, a concrete base along with a concrete or wood retaining
wall to hold back the earth is suggested.
This forms a box or ’bunker‘, in which the swim spa is placed.
Swimlife does not recommend back-filling full in-ground or
partial in-ground installations.
• It is recommended leaving a 61 cm (24 in) wide crawl-space
around the entire unit to ensure adequate accessibility.
• Non-freezing climates – it is sufficient to ensure that the base of
the hole or cavity created for the swim spa has a dry, stable, com-
pacted level base and proper drainage.
• Climates where freeze/thaw occurs – it is necessary that a
poured level reinforced concrete base, complete with concrete
footings, be installed as outlined in the sectionABOVE-GROUND
INSTALLATIONS.
Areas with a high ground water table – a level concrete base, as
well as a concrete or wood retaining wall to hold back the earth, is
recommended. This forms a box or ‘bunker’, in which the swim
spa is placed.
• ALWAYS ensure that there is good drainage, via a properly de-
signed French (gravel) drain system and/or a sump pump, to pre-
vent ground water flooding damage to the support equipment or
structure of the swim spa.
• Install protective waterproof conduit to house any cables that will
be buried
• Access for future service must be considered at the time of de-
sign and installation. You must be able to access all sides and
areas of your swim spa. Difficult access will result in supplemental
service labour charges not covered by the factory warranty. Con-
sider easily removable deck materials.
• Make sure the swim spa is tested for 48 hours before you pre-
pare the installation of the surrounding/finish deck around your
swim spa. Even though all units are tested in our plant, some
transport/site handling damage can occur and we suggest you
make sure the swim spa is perfectly waterproof before finalizing
your installation.
• It is recommended to backfill the first 12 inches of material with
3/4” gravel to provide proper drainage around the perimeter of the
swimspa prior to backfilling with earth.
• If at any point you choose to drain down your swim spa for a
long duration make sure that you brace the interior of the shell
wall approximately 12” down from the top in order to minimize any
stress from the force created by the backfill. In normal conditions,
the weight of the water is the opposing force to the earth but when
the swim spa is emptied down there is no opposing force and
there is the risk of inward bowing which could compromise the
structural integrity of the shell.
OVERALL SUPPORT (non-cabinet installations)
Your Swimlife swim spa is equipped with a factory installed load
support substructure, which distributes the weight of the water
over the entire foot area of the swim spa. The cabinet, either fac-
tory installed or customized on-site, should be decorative only,
and not relied on for overall support. Although the lip of the swim
spa must be supported to ensure it remains level, never suspend
a swim spa from a deck or floor by the outer acrylic edge, as this
will lead to product damage and/or serious personal injury.
SITE PREPARATION